The five-second rule: Fact of Fiction
Apr-18-2014

Ever heard of the "five-second rule"? You know, when that piece of chocolate you've been dying to eat falls on the floor, but you don't have to worry if you pick it up within 5 seconds?! No germs right?! Or are there?

Believe it or not, a new study actually looked into this and have come to the conclusion there may be some truth to it! A team of British researchers looked at two common bacteria-E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus-to measure how many microbes attached to food when it was dropped on the floor.

Scientists tested foods like toast, cookies, pasta, and sticky candy, and dropped them on tile, linoleum, or carpet. Samples were left from three to 30 seconds and results showed that the faster foods were picked up, the better off they were. Of course, flooring, and consistency also contributed to the amount of bacteria transferred, for example, carpet kept food cleanest, and foods with moisture or stickiness, like noodles and candy picked up the most germs. So, relax, you can go on with the knowledge that if you drop a dry food on carpet and pick it up quickly enough, you're probably safe!

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Posted by Ken at 12:00 AM - Link to this entry  |  Share this entry  |  Print